Welcome to an adrenaline-fueled showdown between two titans of the automotive brake industry – Brembo and Raybestos.
I’ll be your guide, comparing their performance, quality, and prices, uncovering the pros and cons of each.
Buckle up as we put these brands to the test, determining which truly deserves the title of the best brake system.
Brembo vs Raybestos – Brand Comparison Table
| Brembo | Raybestos | |
| Country of Origin | Italy | United States |
| Year Founded | 1961 | 1902 |
| Made In | Italy, Germany, China | mostly in China |
| Founder | Emilio, Sergio and Alberto Bombassei and Italo Breda | Arthur H. Raymond and Arthur F. Law |
| Parent | Stand-alone | Brake Parts Inc |
| Overall Quality | high-quality option, but there may be cheaper alternatives that provide similar performance | high-quality with good friction rating |
Brembo OE Replacement vs Raybestos Element3 Premium Coated Brake Rotors Comparison
In this section, I’m going to compare the most popular Series – OE Replacement and Element3 Premium Coated from both brands by various product specs & features, prices, warranty, durability, performance, stopping power and noise levels.
Here is a detailed comparison table showcasing what each brand has to offer:
| Brembo | Raybestos | |
| Series | OE Replacement | Element3 Premium Coated |
| Material | Cast Iron | High Carbon |
| Coating | UV coating technology for maximum corrosion resistance | Grey fusion 4.0 zinc coating |
| Type | Vented | Vented |
| Durability | Engineered with precision to precise tolerances, utilizing advanced technology for unmatched durability and comfort | Original equipment design, vane configuration, and weight |
| Performance | Good performance and lifespan, thanks to innovative features such as exclusive pillar venting technology | Unmatched stopping power, corrosion and rust-resistant finish, reduced brake fade for high performance |
| Price | $39.00 – $1201.00 | $19.00 – $307.00 |
| Warranty | covers defects in material and workmanship for 24 Months | Raybestos Brake Products will be free from non-conformities in materials and workmanship |
| Stopping Power Rating (More Stars = More Stopping Power) | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Noise Levels Rating (Fewer Stars = Less Noise) | ⭐ | ⭐ |
| Performance Over Stock Rating (More Stars = More Performance) | ⭐ | ⭐⭐ |
Brembo Ceramic vs Raybestos E3 Performance Brake Pads Comparison
In the following section, I’m going to compare the most renowned Brake Pads series from both brands by various product specs & features, prices, warranty, performance, stopping power, brake dust accumulation and noise levels.
Here is a detailed comparison table showcasing what each brand has to offer:
| Brembo | Raybestos | |
| Series | Ceramic | E3 Performance |
| Material | Ceramic | Ceramic, Organic |
| Performance | Brembo Ceramic brake pads are engineered to deliver superior braking performance, effectively enhancing your vehicle’s stopping power. These pads also excel in minimizing noise, vibration, and harshness during braking. | Engineered for smooth and quiet operation, these brake pads are designed to outperform stock options. They incorporate EHT Enhanced Hybrid Technology and professional-grade formulations, ensuring optimum performance and reliability for an enhanced braking experience. |
| Price | $23.95 – $238.95 | $14.00 – $53.00 |
| Warranty | covers defects in material and workmanship for 24 Months | Raybestos Brake Products will be free from non-conformities in materials and workmanship |
| Dust Levels Rating (Fewer Stars = Less Dust) | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ |
| Stopping Power Rating (More Stars = More Stopping Power) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Noise Levels Rating (Fewer Stars = Less Noise) | ⭐ | ⭐ |
| Performance Over Stock Rating (More Stars = More Performance) | ⭐ | ⭐ |
Differences
1. Overall Performance and Quality
Here’s a comparison of the performance of Brembo and Raybestos brakes based on customer reviews:
Brembo
- Brembo brake parts are praised for their high performance, often utilized in high-performance applications.
- One user highlights the excellent quality of Brembo brake pads, describing them as linear, superior in stopping power, and consistent compared to his previous pads.
- A different user recommends using Brembo discs with the pads for the best results, commending their combined stopping power.
- While more costly, Brembo parts are seen as a worthy investment for those who prioritize high performance and braking power, especially in situations that involve frequent high-speed braking.
Raybestos
- Raybestos brake parts are frequently recommended by users, with mentions of their coated rotors and Centric Posi Quiet ceramic pads.
- There’s a concern about possible quality control issues following the company’s move overseas, but no clear consensus was found.
- One user praises Raybestos Element3/EHT brake pads for their better bite and even range as they warm up, and shared their successful experience with these pads in both trucks and small cars.
- In discussions about cost-effective, well-known brake pads and rotors, Raybestos is recognized as a reliable brand.
In conclusion, Brembo is favored for high performance and braking power, whereas Raybestos is appreciated for its reliability and cost-effectiveness.
2. Rotors and Brake Pads Prices
I’ve gathered some interesting information regarding the brake rotor prices for both brands. You can take a look at them in the table below:
| Brembo Rotors Prices⁽¹⁾ | Raybestos Rotors Prices⁽²⁾ | |
| Lowest Priced Rotors | Brembo OE Replacement Solid Rear Brake Rotor goes from $30.80 | Raybestos R-Line™ Brake Rotor goes from $14.74 |
| Most Expensive Rotors | Brembo GT Series CCM-R Cross Drilled 2-Piece Brake Rotors go for $13,795 | Raybestos Specialty Street Performance Slotted 1-Piece Rear Brake Rotor goes for $236.02 |
Alternatively, you can see the brake pads prices for Brembo and Raybestos below:
| Brembo Brake Pads Prices⁽¹⁾ | Raybestos Brake Pads Prices⁽²⁾ | |
| Lowest Priced Pads | Brembo Ceramic Brake Pads go from $23.95 | Raybestos R-Line Semi-Metallic Rear Disc Brake Pads go from $14.49 |
| Most Expensive Pads | Brembo Premium Low-Met OE Equivalent Rear Brake Pads go for $545.95 | Raybestos Street Performance Specialty Metallic Rear Brake Pads go for $146.86 |
3. Pros and Cons
In this section, I’ve tried to showcase the most noticeable advantages and disadvantages for these two experts in brakes.
Brembo
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔ High performance | ❌ Cost |
| ✔ Brand reputation | |
| ✔ Heat capacity |
Raybestos
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔ High-quality brake rotors | ❌ Some customers are experiencing noise issues with their pads |
| ✔ Reputable brand in the brake system market | |
| ✔ Durability |
Which Is the Better Brand Overall?
After careful consideration, I’d choose Brembo as the better brake brand overall.
Despite being pricier, it stands out for its high performance and consistent quality, especially for high-speed applications.
While Raybestos is a reputable brand that offers durability, the concerns about noise issues and quality control after moving production overseas give Brembo a slight edge in this comparison.